Police catch escaped wallaby
The animal, which is privately owned, was seen bouncing down a road near to Junction 4 of the M55. Police slowed traffic while RSPCA inspectors attempted to catch the animal.
A Lancashire Police helicopter was also at the scene. The drama began at 8.55am after several motorists called 999. It ended four hours later when a vet was drafted in from Blackpool Zoo to sedate the wallaby with a tranquilliser dart.
The animal, which was cornered by police in a garden, is now safely back with its owner. Insp Alistair Campbell of Blackpool Police: "We had nine officers at the scene and the police helicopter was also deployed. We slowed traffic on the motorway down to 30mph.
"Eventually we were able to usher the wallaby away from the M55. It's fair enough to say we've never had a situation like this before. We had to consult the RSPCA to help us work out how to capture the wallaby."
Wallabies are becoming increasingly popular as garden pets in Britain. Private orders for the marsupials, which are native to Australia and New Zealand, have jumped in recent years as landowners seek new ways of keeping their grass neat.
Source: telegraph